World’s first biofuel plant powered by renewables goes live today

Biofuels are about to get even greener with the opening of the world’s first biofuel facility operated totally on renewable energy sources. An unfortunate consequence of most renewable and green energy sources is the amount of carbon input required to produce the energy. California-based biofuel and bioenergy company, Biodico is turning that adage on its head with the launch of its Westside Facility, the first-ever facility of its kind to use renewable heat and clean power generated onsite. The facility will use that power to produce a total of 20 million gallons of biodiesel each year. Biodico’s plant is set to go live with a launch party in Fresno today.

“Our new facility in the San Joaquin Valley produces economically and environmentally viable bio-based fuel and energy for local farmers and truckers, and creates new jobs in the community,” said Biodico President and Founder, Russ Teall in a press release. “This facility demonstrates Biodico’s commitment to an integrated value chain model that includes accelerated and inexpensive construction and deployment, enhanced throughput with reduced operating costs, and increased monetization of renewable fuel and energy.”

Images show plants being powered by solar thermal panels, while the company uses the byproducts of its biofuel manufacturing process to produce biogas, which helps power the facility